From crisis to comeback: Walsall Wood rise from the brink under local lad Adam Pearce who’s got his 'love' back
Almost a year ago, the gates at Oak Park were shut, silence filled the ground on Saturday afternoons, and the future of Walsall Wood looked uncertain.
Fast forward to today, and the club is back in competitive action in the Midland League Division Three - something fans, those involved with the club, and the wider community are extremely grateful for.
Walsall Wood resigned from the Northern Premier League Midlands Division in late-October last year amid behind-the-scenes uncertainty, with claims suggesting management and players had not been paid. Following their resignation, the club confirmed it did not have the funds to support a first team.
That's when local lad Adam Pearce stepped into the hot seat at the crisis-hit club - and he hasn’t looked back since. Under his guidance, Wood currently sit fifth in the table with seven wins from their opening 10 matches.
"I was really disappointed when the club folded," Pearce said.
"With it being a club close to my heart, when the opportunity came up, it was one that I was desperate to do.
"I had seen all the work behind the scenes with some top people trying to get Walsall Wood back on the map and bring first team football back. When you see people working that hard, it makes you want to help.
"I have gone into it with both feet trying to get a decent side together and people playing for the shirt.
"I am a Walsall Wood lad, I have lived there for 46 years. I pretty much grew up there and it is deep rooted to my family.
"To help them get back to where they want to be is something that I would never be able to say no to.
"It has been a massive culture shock to me, but I have got my love for football back and it has been one of the best things I have done in my career."
Former boss Ian Long resigned on October 4, 2024, with the club sitting second in the Northern One Midlands table - unbeaten and with 19 points from nine games.
A year on, there are echoes of that strong start, as Wood once again find themselves flying high near the top of the table.
However, Pearce knows the scale of the task ahead. The club must earn four promotions to return to step four of the non-league pyramid - but he’s determined to restore Walsall Wood to its former heights.
He added: "100 per cent, that is where the club wants to be. The club was a step four club just 12 months ago.
"But, there have not been any demands put on me. Just having a first team on the pitch that washes its own face financially on the pitch is good enough at the moment.
"However, from a sporting perspective, I have my own targets and we are in this to try and get promoted at the first time of asking and back up a few levels.
"We are in it to win and take part, but kudos to the people behind the scenes, there is no pressure, but the club deserves to be higher up."
